Plane Crash List

Bell 206L-1 N3194P

16 January 2003 · B.s. 53, Louisiana, United States · Fatal

Summary

On 16 January 2003 at about 14:26 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N3194P was involved in an accident near B.s. 53, Louisiana, United States. 4 people were on board and one died, 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 14:26
Classification
Accident
Location
B.s. 53, Louisiana, United States
Coordinates
31.1701, -91.8687
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Registration
N3194P
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Venice → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI03FA056

People

1 person died.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 1 3 0 0

Probable cause

The improper approach by the pilot and the settling with power encountered by the pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The on-demand offshore helicopter flight impacted an oil platform during landing. The pilot stated that he was performing a standard pinnacle approach to the helipad. The approach was described as normal until the helicopter crossed over the edge of the platform, at which point the helicopter suddenly descended below the approach path. He reported that an increase of power beyond 100% torque was ineffective in arresting descent rate. The platform was equipped with a windsock located to southeast side of the landing pad. The height of the windsock was such that it intersected the approximate plane formed by the helideck. The windsock was tattered and according to the pilot's report, "the end of the windsock was wrapped around the pole." Disassembly of the engine revealed no anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 206 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
21 Jan 2003 Bell 206L-1
N5740L
Oak Grove, Louisiana, United States - No injuries -
8 May 2003 Bell 206-L4
N70TV
Aurora, Colorado, United States - Minor injuries -
7 May 2003 Bell 206B
N81519
Hurst, Texas, United States Bell Helicopter Textron No injuries -
26 Nov 2003 Bell 206B
N90013
Cranston, Rhode Island, United States Horsham Valley Airways Minor injuries -
10 Oct 2003 Bell 206L-3
N81671
W. Cameron 509, United States - Fatal 3
23 Jul 2003 Bell 206B
N37741
Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii, United States - Fatal 5

All 1,732 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
19 Jan 2003 Beechcraft T-34B
N20684
Hammond, Louisiana, United States - Serious injuries -
25 Aug 2003 Air Tractor AT-301
N301AF
Winnsboro, Louisiana, United States Chuck Paris No injuries -
24 Mar 2003 Bell 407
N501PH
Houma, Louisiana, United States - No injuries -
3 Feb 2003 Mooney M20J
N658FT
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States - Minor injuries -
19 May 2003 Bell 407
N991SP
Franklin, Louisiana, United States - No injuries -
5 Apr 2003 Enstrom F-28F
N86238
Monroe, Louisiana, United States Hanger One No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States